Sunday’s Premier League action concludes at the City Ground in what promises to be an important clash at both ends of the table. Manchester United saw rivals Newcastle and Tottenham both fall to miserable defeats in the race for a top-four finish yesterday, meaning Erik ten Hag’s fourth-placed side can jump up to third and create a healthy six-point buffer to fifth with a third straight top-flight win in the East Midlands.
However, United may be low on confidence themselves after Sevilla’s late fightback in the Europa League quarter-finals at Old Trafford and with Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane lost to injury, joining the likes of Marcus Rashford on the sidelines. They should receive a stern test from a Forest side scrapping for their lives in a fierce relegation battle after a dismal nine-match winless run that has heaped more pressure on manager Steve Cooper, though a draw this afternoon would be enough to lift them back out of the bottom three at Everton’s expense.
Ten Hag makes three injury enforced changes to his team today, while Cooper swaps four. Follow Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United live below!
Live updates
Late United change as Eriksen replaces Sabitzer
Confirmation now that United’s injury crisis has got worse with Sabitzer pulling up in the warm-up and heading down the tunnel.
So Eriksen does make his first start since sustaining that serious ankle injury during a challenge from Reading’s Andy Carroll in the FA Cup in January.
A second goalkeeper has been added to the bench in Nathan Bishop.
Final preparations at the City Ground!
Sky Sports report that Marcel Sabitzer has been struggling in the warm-up for United and that Christian Eriksen could be in line to start this game instead.
That’s not confirmed yet though.
Forest poach Wilson after Giraldi axe
There has also been more behind-the-scenes drama at the City Ground this week, with Forest axing sporting director Filippo Giraldi after just six months.
Now they have poached the highly-rated Ross Wilson from Rangers as their new chief football officer, with whom Steve Cooper is keen to develop a quick relationship.
“It hasn’t interfered with my day-to-day work,” said the Forest boss. “Nothing does, because I have to give that 100 per cent.
“The club have made a change, with Filippo going and bringing Ross in. I am a believer that the sporting director or chief football officer or technical director role is something the club needs. I think it will help the club’s progress, both on and off the pitch, so I’m an advocate of that.
“I had a good relationship with Filippo, and I will work very hard to have a good relationship with Ross. We are working together on that.”
Cooper: Forest need to take risks to end long winless run
The issue of Steve Cooper’s future has been like a soap opera at Forest this season, with fan uproar and the dreaded vote of confidence following every rumour that he is destined for the sack from owner Evangelos Marinakis.
But the former Swansea boss knows that he needs to pick up wins during a pivotal time in the season and suggested he may take risks against United this afternoon.
“Results have not been anywhere near what we would have hoped, wanted and needed to be and that for me is the be-all and end-all,” Cooper said.
“There’s such a strong togetherness and culture at the club. We’re all frustrated with recent results but determined and motivated because there’s still so much to achieve and so much can be done.
“To get a good result you need to take risks, to have a way of thinking you can hurt Manchester United, we’ve got to really see that with the players and get them to buy into it.
“They have ownership of it as well and deliver on a matchday. I’ve liked the preparation so far but it only means something if we can take it into Sunday.”
Cooper defends Lingard before Man United reunion
The shock move to Forest has not paid off for Jesse Lingard, who is expected to move on this summer after being limited to 16 appearances in the Premier League during another injury-plagued campaign.
However, ahead of today’s game against his former club, Steve Cooper backed the former England midfielder to bounce back.
“Like everybody, he’s giving everything to be in a position where he wants to contribute,” Cooper said. “Jesse is as determined as anybody else in the group.
“He’s had a bit of a tough time and he’s missed some games through injuries that haven’t been long-term injuries but have just not allowed him to be available for games.
“Against Manchester United, he’d love to be involved and even more than that contribute in a really, really positive way.
“But the most important thing at the moment is the greater good of the team and what we’re trying to do. Any individual situation around that is not as important as the collective.”
Ten Hag: Malacia missing with ‘sore knee’
Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Tyrell Malacia misses out this afternoon due to a knee issue.
“He has a sore knee and already he was struggling in the week. Today it was too bad to start,” he told MUTV.
Four Forest changes from Aston Villa loss
It’s four changes from Nottingham Forest after their 2-0 loss at Aston Villa that made it nine matches without a win.
Scott McKenna replaces captain Joe Worrall in defence, while Renan Lodi is surprisingly fit to come in along with Remo Freuler as Taiwo Awoniyi leads the line.
Jonjo Shelvey and Harry Toffolo drop to the bench along with Worrall, while Cheikhou Kouyate is out through injury.
Jesse Lingard is also among the substitutes against his former club.
Freuler takes the skipper’s armband.
Three Man United changes from Ten Hag
Manchester United show three changes from the side that threw away a two-goal lead against Sevilla on Thursday, with the injured defensive trio of Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane and Tyrell Malacia replaced by Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Diogo Dalot.
Otherwise it’s as you were, with Casemiro back in Premier League action for the first time in more than a month after serving his four-game domestic suspension.
Marcel Sabitzer keeps his place in midfield after that Europa League double, so Christian Eriksen remains on the bench.
For the second time in three days, Anthony Martial leads the line ahead of Wout Weghorst, flanked by Antony and Jadon Sancho.
No Luke Shaw or Scott McTominay in the squad, with youngsters Marc Jurado and Zidane Iqbal making the bench along with Brandon Williams.
No Marcus Rashford again either, as expected.
Nottingham Forest lineup
Starting XI: Navas, Felipe, McKenna, Niakhate, Williams, Freuler, Danilo, Renan Lodi, Gibbs-White, Awoniyi, Johnson
Subs: Worrall, Mangala, Shelvey, Lingard, Hennessey, Toffolo, Surridge, Dennis, Ayew
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